Closure for fuel tanks



April 25, 1950 L. CHASE cLosURE: FOR FUEL TANKS 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed NOV. l5, 1947 l TTORNEY m m m m LaONEL. CHASE Fuel? April 25, L, CHASE CLOSURE FOR FUEL TANKS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 15. 1947 INI/ENTOR. LloNEL CHASE ATTORNEY prri 25, 1950 L. CHASE 2,505,637

w cLosURE FOR FUEL TANKS Filed Nov. 15, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheei 5 5784 72 7i 'TO INVENTOR. L \ONE:\ CHASE @www AT TORNEI Y Patented Apr.. 25, 1950 CLOSURE FOR FUEL TANKS Lionel Chase, North Olmstead, Ohio, assignor to Marchmont Products, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application November 15, 1947, Serial No. 786,212

3 Claims. (Cl. 2211-3013) IIhis invention relates generally to closures for tanks, but more specifically to hinged closures which are adapted to be mounted on the filler tubes of tanks such as automobile gasoline tanks and the like.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a closure which is hingedly mounted on the filler tube of the tank, thereby being irremovable and not subject to being lost or misplaced.

Another object of my invention is to provide a closure of the type described which can be mounted on the ller tubes of tanks which are presently not equipped with hinged closures.

Still another object of my invention is to provide improved means for mounting the hinged closure on existent types of ller tubes.

A further object of my invention is to provide a hinged closure having improved sealing means to prevent the escape of fumes or liquid from the tank.

Another object of my invention is to provide a hinged closure of the type described which may be unlocked by actuating means located at a point remote from the closure itself, such as, for example, by control means located on the dashboard of an automobile.

An additional object of my invention is to provide a hinged closure of the type described, which is adapted to sound an alarm or give other appropriate signals when it is accidentally left open or when it is opened by an unauthorized person.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the closure, showing the cover in the closed position.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view, partly in section and partly in elevation, showing the closure with the cover in its open position; portions being broken away to show details of the assembly.

Fig. 3 is a view taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2, showing details of the cover assembly.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional View taken on line l-t of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional View taken on line 5--5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged end view in elevation of the closure, as seen from the left of Fig. l, portions thereof being removed to show the relation of the parts in sealing engagement.

Fig. 7 is a detail View in elevation of the adapter.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a modified form of my invention, taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 9 9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on line I0-IIl of Fig. 8, showing details of the plunger and latch mechanism.

Fig. 1l is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on line II--I I of Fig. 9, showing details of the hinge structure.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on line I2-I2 of Fig. 8 showing additional details of the latch structure.

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical wiring circuit employed in connecton with the form of invention shown in Figs. 8 to l2 inclusive.

Fig. 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of another modified form of my invention, with parts thereof broken away to more clearly show certain details.

Fig. 15 is a longitudinal cross-sectional View of still another modified form of my invention, with portions thereof broken away to show certain details more clearly.

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical wiring circuit employed in connection with the forms of my invention shown in Figs. 14 and 15.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 7 of the drawings, the closure is seen to comprise a circular cover I provided with a circumferentially depending iiange or skirt 2 which is recessed as at 3, to permit the free passage of a hinge member 4; the recess 3 also serving a'purpose to be hereinafter described.

A stud 5 is rigidly secured to the cover I, centrally thereof, and serves as a pivotal mounting for the hinge member 4.

A sealing disc B provided with a radially eX- tending olfset flange portion l' is also carried by the stud 5 and is resiliently held, against a washer 8 and securing nut 9, by the fingers II of a flat spring I0 which is also mounted on the stud 5.

A friction reducing washer I 2 is interposed between the spring lll and the hinge member fl.

The cover I is hingedly secured to an adapter element I3 which is provided with a hinge extension I4 which is retained between opposing ears I 5 ofthe hinge member 4 by a hinge pin Il 6 which extends through openings II provided therefor in the ears I5.

. insertedY in for the lugs 30.

[an edge'as or the hinge member e. Qposition, the sealing disc 6 is seated in the adapter opening 23, beingV urged into tight engagement A coil spring I8 is also mounted on the hinge pin I6, a recess I9 being provided therefor in the hinge I4. One end of the spring I8 rests against the surface of the ller tube and the other end of the spring I8 resiliently presses against the hinge member 4, thereby urging the cover I into the open position shown in Fig. 2.

The circumference fof the adapter It` is intercepted by a pair oi diametrically opposed cams 2il which depend from the edge 2l of the adapter and are formed integrally therewith.

The cams 26 cooperate with a pair of lugs 22 formed by indentmg the skirt 2 oi the cover I at diametrically opposed points. K 4

The adapter I3 is provided with an opening 23 which is concentric with the sealing disc t, and which is also concentric with an opening 24 in a. conventional ller tube 25, such as is used on automobile fuel tanks.

As Ais, customary in such iller tubes, the filler tube l25 vis'provded,y internally thereof, withfa pair of .depending Hanges 29 extending 'axially'thereof and separated each from theotherA by opposed 'recesseshZZ'each of the flanges "23 having a 'camm ng edge2I and an extended portionwhiohacts as a stop 2S, the similar portions of each iiange 'being diametrically opposite each other.

VThe adapted i3 is provided with anintegrally ,formed'dependingange29 on which is ormed a pa'irof outwardly extending lugs 35i. The diameter definedY by the lugs f3d is greater than the .diameter d'ened by the Vflanges 25' but is less than the diameter defined by the recesses '26', thereby permitting the Vflange 29 ofthe Aadapter I3V to be N nthe opening 24 of the'llertnbe 25, the` recesses 28 providing the necessary clearance Upon rotation oftheada'pter I3`in a clockwise direction (as'seen in Fig. 4),

thedlugsi-B are adapted to cooperate with the Y anges 26 and seat the adapter securely on the lleltube The ange 29 isalso provided with two groups Acir urnferentially spaced notches 3 I `which1o`ut line a series of finger/32. Each Ygroup of ngers V32 precedes its complementary lug 36in Va `clock V:wise direction, Vso that, once the'adapter is secured to 'the' ller tube, it may be made irremovable by bending one of the fingers .32 of each group of fingers in a radial direction (as Abestse'en inFig. n.5), so as to abut an edge A33 of each ofthe stops :A3 8,'V thereb`y preventing counter-rotation 'of the Menterw- The operation ofthe closure willY now be briefly described c 'As best seen in Fig. 6, the recess Sin the cover ldefined by edges 34 and 35 on' the skirt'Z and the recess 4is ofsuch dimension asto permit a limited amount of rotation of the cover I relatively to the hinge member 4.

When the cover I Vis in the locked position, as

seen in Fig.` 6, the lugs 22 cooperatively engage the cams 2D and the edge 35 ofthe recess S'abuts )In the' locked l by the abutment of lthe edge 34 with an edge' 31 of thehinge'member 4.

Upondisengagement ofthe cover I from the Y cams 2B, the coil spring I3 rotates the cover I about the hinge pin I6 to the open position 'shown in Fig. 2, this movement of the cover being limited by the abutment of an edge 33 of the ears I5 with the body of the filler tube 2 To again lock the closure, the cover I is forced downwardly against the action of the coil spring I8 until the sealing disc 5 is again seated in the adapter I3, and the cover is then rotated in a clockwise direction thereby again engaging the cams 2i] and lugs 22. In Figs. 8 to l2, inclusive, is shown a form of ,closure which is constructed in such e, manner as to be operable from a point remote from the closure itself, for example, from the dashboard of kan automobile. VAn adapter I3 is employed in Yhinge extension I4 on the adapter I3. The hinge extension M'is recessed as at I9 so as to permit the coil spring I8 to be c a'rried bythe pin I6, the free ends ofthe spring being vcompressed between the surface of the filler. tube 25 and the surface of the skirt 39. (See Fig. 11.) Y

The adapter I3 is irremov'ably securedto the ller tube 25 in the manner previously described in the discussion pertaining to Figs. 1 to 'l ofthe drawings. That'is, the adapter is'pr'ovided with Vlugs 30 formed von'the flange 29, which lugs are adapted to cooperate with theanges on the ller tube when the adapter is rotated. One'finger of each oi the two groups of iingers 32 is then bent adjacent the stop 23 to prevent counterrotation of the adapter. The adapter I3' istnus securelyseated on the ller tube 25.

The closure locking mechanism comprisesa keeper element 42, Vwhich is secured to theY inner surface of the ange 29 vof the adapter I3 at a point diametricaily op'positeuthe hinge I4, and a latch member 43 which is pivotally suspended from the cover 38 by means of a pin 44 and a bracket 45 which is secured tothe'cover.

A sealing disc 43 is secured to the cover38, the disc 46 being provided with an opening 4T to permit the passage of the latch member 43 therethrough. A lug 43 is mounted on the disc 4t and serves to retain one end v or a coil spring di), the other end or which is secured to a constricted portion on the latch member43, so as to resiliently maintain the latch member in abutment with one edge ofthe opening 4l when the cover 38 is open and similarly tourge the latch vmember into locking engagement with the keeperdz when the cover is closed. Y y' Within the cove-r 38 there is mounted, as by a bracket 5I, asolenoid 52 which is provided with a movable core or plunger 53 terminating in a bent portion 54. The plunger 53 passes through an opening 55 provided therefor in the Vlatch 43 and is adapted to operatively 'engage the' latch 43 when the solenoidisenergized, thereby withdrawing the latch member'll `from its engagement with the keeper 42,' against the action of the spring`49, Aand'permitting the cover 33 to swing open by the action Yof the spring' I6.

'Also mounted within the cover 38, as by a bracket', is 'a sealedmercury'switch'51provided with electrical leads 58 and 59. When the cover 38 is unlatched and swings open, it assumes the position shown in dotted outline in Fig. 8, being arrested against further rotation by the abutment of the stop 4| against the ller tube 25. In this open position, the mercury conductor within the switch 5'! bridges the leads 58 and 59 and thereby closes a signal circuit as shown in Fig. 13.

Referring now to Fig. 13, the numeral 6B designates the ignition switch of an automobile or the like, which is connected on one terminal to an electrical storage battery and to the other terminal of which is connected, through a push button switch 5i, one lead of the solenoid 52, the other lead of the solenoid being grounded to complete the circuit.

The signal circuit comprises a double pole snap switch 62 which is connected to the battery, a visible signal such as a lamp t3, an audible alarm such as the automobile horn or a bell 64, and the mercury switch 5l', one lead of which is grounded to complete the circuit.

Thus it will be apparent that when the operator of an automobile drives into a service station tc refuel, he has merely to push the switch 8| momentarily, while the ignition switch El) is in the on position, whereby the circuit to the solenoid will be closed and the cover 3S will become unlatched.

When the cover swings open the mercury switch 51 will close the signal circuit thereby actuating either the lamp 63 or the bell 64 depending upon the selected position of the switch 52. It is assumed that the switch 62 will normally be in position to close the bell circuit, its position being changed to the lamp circuit only when the automobile is being refueled.

The closure and the electrical circuit are thus constructed and arranged so that any unauthorized opening of the cover 38 will actuate an alarm signal audible to by-standers. On the other hand, the operator may unlock the closure without leaving the automobile and the visible signal will indicate to him when the cover has sprung open and also when it has again been closed and locked.

A gasket 65 may be employed between the surfaces of the adapter I3 and the cover disc 46 so as to more effectively seal the filler tube opening against the entrance of moisture or foreign matter.

Referring now to Fig. 14, I have shown a modified form of closure in which the unlocking mechanism is actuated by air pressure. In this modification, the adapter I3 is again used to permit the closure to be installed as a replacement for the existent type of manual filler tube caps. A cover S6 is provided with a hinge portion El and is pivotally connected to the adapter I3 by means of the hinge pin I6 and the hinge I4 on the adapter. The coil spring I8 is carried by the pin i8 so as to urge the cover 66 to rotate to the open position (counter-clockwise as seen in Fig. 14)

The cover 66 is formed interiorly thereof to provide an annular shoulder 68 to which is secured a circular flexible diaphragm 69, thereby forming a substantially air-tight chamber 'IG in the upper portion of the cover. The diaphragm is normally urged downwardly by a compression coil spring ll which is retained between a boss l2 on the cover 66 and a boss 13 on the diaphragm.

Diametrically opposite the hinge portion 61 of the cover B6, there is secured to the shoulder ascesa? 68 a support bar 'M provided with a pivot pin 15 which pin acts as a fulcrum for a latch lever '16, one end of which is pivotally mounted on the pin 15. The other end of the latch lever 16 is slotted, as at 11, so as to permit the passing therethrough of a screw 18 which is threaded into a link member 19, the line 'I9 being an extension of the boss 'I3 and projecting from the diaphragm 69 centrally thereof.

The latch lever 'i6 is provided with a downwardly projecting catch which is adapted to cooperate with the keeper 42 which is mounted interiorly of the adapter I3.

The cover 66 is formed exteriorly thereof to provide a nipple 8| having a channel B2 leading into the chamber 10. The nipple is adapted to receive one end of a conduit or hose 82, the other end of which is connected through a valve to a suction device such as the air intake manifold of an automobile engine.

Thus, when the air pressure is reduced in the chamber 18, the diaphragm 69 is forced upwardly against the action of the coil spring li. This movement of the diaphragm causes the link member 'I9 to move vertically upwardly, thereby causing the latch lever 'i6 and its unitary catch 8U to pivot about the pin 'I5 in a clockwise direction, the slot l'! in the latch lever permitting free lateral movement of the lever relative to the screw 18.

The catch 80 is thereby withdrawn from its locking position relatively to the keeper 42, and the cover 56 swings open under the actuation of the spring I8, the cover being limited in its rotation by abutment of the hinge portion 6l against the filler tube 25.

A sealed mercury switch 51 is mounted within the cover 65, as by means of a bracket 84, and is disposed at such an angle that the opening of the cover causes the mercury to bridge the leads thereof and complete the signal circuit shown in Fig. 16.

The cover has also formed therein a second annular shoulder which serves as a seat for a circular sealing disc 88, secured thereto. The disc is provided with an opening 8l which permits the projection therethrough of the catch 88. A gasket 88 completes the assembly.

As soon as the cover 6G has been unlatched, the air pressure on the diaphragm 69 may be equalized by operation of the aforementioned valve and the coil spring 1| returns the diaphragm to its initial position.

When the cover 66 is manually closed, the catch 88 is forced past the keeper 42 and the closure is locked. This position of the cover causes the mercury switch 5l to break the signal circuit thereby indicating to the operator that the cover has been closed.

As seen in Fig. 16, by means of the snap switch 62, the operator may select either the lamp circuit or the audible signal circuit, the audible signal circuit being normally employed so as to indicate to bystanders an unauthorized attempt to force open the closure.

In Fig. 15, I have shown an additional modication of my invention in which the :filler tube closure is adapted to be unlocked by mechanical means which are actuated from a remote point, such as the interior of an automobile.

In this form of clos-ure, as in the others previoutly described, a cover 89, having a hinge portion Bil, is hingedly connected to the hinge I4 of the adapter I3' by means of the hinge pin I6.

'rhespring"la istarriedby thepin lsin'sueh afmanner as td'urge the cover izo-rotate inra Avcounter#clockwise direction, that is, tothe Yopen position. The adapter [3','in turn, is irre'movably secured to the Yfiller tube 25 by means of the lugs '30 and the fingers 32, as previouslydescribd.

YThe cover 89 has an annularshoulder'lll formed interiorly thereof, to which is secured as by screws 92, a circular plate 93 havingan opening 94 therein. The opening est permits a spring vrnetal keeper, Which is mounted on the adapter I3', to project upwardly through the plate 93. Y

A latch bar 9S is slidably mounted on the plate 93, being secured thereto by fastening elements 91 and Se which extend through elongated slots 9S provided in the latch'bar k96. Acoil'spring 100 ris suspended betweenY an ear Ylill which is secure-.a

to the fastening element`98 and an ear'llwhich is Welded to the latch bar 9e, therebyV normally urging the latch bar to the left, as seen Yin Fig. 15.

The ends 103 and l of the latch bar 96 are bent or upturned to Vform camming surfaces, the end l3'being adapted to interengage the keeper 95l so as to lock the cover in place.

The adapterv I3 is provided with an opening |05 to permit the passage therethrough of a sheathed exible cable ld, one end of which terminates in a controlknob (not shown)` in the interior of the automobile and the other end of which terminates in a buttonI im having an inclined or camming surface H18. An opening H is provided in theplate 93 to permit the button to project therethrough. A compression coil spring H39, of greater strength than the spring 100, is mounted on the cable l between the button I and the adapter i3', thereby normally urging the button lill into camming relationship with the end ide of the latch bar 9e.

Whenthe cable Iii is retracted vby the'operator, against the action of the .spring m9, 'the expansion coil spring we causes the latch bar to slidably Withdraw from its engagement with the keeper B5 and thereupon the cover 89 Will spring open in response to the'action of the spring I3.

A mercury switch 51 is mounted Within the cover 89, as by a bracket HL'andis disposed'at such an angle that the mercury therein Will complete the signal circuit, shown in Fig. 16, when the cover Se is open.

As soon as the operator releasesthe control knob, thespring HB9 vvill force thebutton i''l into camming engagement Withv theA end `iillo the latch bar and, the spring |09 'being stronger than theA spring Hill, the latch bar Vwill be returned to its initial position.

Thereupon, when thecover-is closed manually, theA end [Q3/of the latchbar 96 will-displace the spring metal keeper 95 andv return lto the locked position.

Having thus described my invention and the modicationstliereof, it Will be apparent that I have provided a closure for the ller Vtubes 'of tanker-particularly for -the yfuel `tanks of automobiles, which are adaptable for installation on existent fuel tanks as a replacement for the'pr'e ently used ormof closure which is Veasily lost or misplaced.

I have also 'providednovel'means for locking the closure in its vclosed position and unlocking it from a point remote 'from the closure itself, so that the operator of a vehicle can actuate the unlocking `mechanism of thev closure from the interior ofthe vehicle.

I' have combined and coordinated this mechansm for the remote control of the closure uniockirgjmechaism with automatic fsignanirlg Airleans so that if 'the cover'be open, the operator is instantlyaware thereof. The signalling means are 'also operative to valarm bystanders Yin the event an unauthorized opening of the closure is accomplished.

It is to be understood that the forms of mylinvention herein shown and described, are'to be taken as preferred examples of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and Varrangement of-the parts may be resorted to, Without departing from the spirit of Ymy invention or vthe scope of the subjoined claims. Y

Having thus described my invention, I'claim:

1. A closure Yfor 'a ller tube having interior cam surfaces and abutments, saidclosurecoinjprising a plate-like ring adapter element forl'securement to said tube andhavingV an opening for registry therewith, two oppositely positioned'projections depending from the inner periphery; of

the ring for cooperative'engagement with'vsaid tube cam surfaces in tbe securement rof -the adapter element to the tube by rotation ofthe adapter element in one direction relativeto the tube, bendable fingers also depending from said inner periphery of said adapter element and '-bendable into positions back of'said tube abutments to prevent reverse rotation ofthe adapter element relative to the tube, there being such bendable lingers spaced substantially'about the entire space betweenV said projections so that two of said fingers are'in positions to be bent back of the tube abutments irrespective of the'relative angular relationship of the'adapter elementand tially thesame length and shape.

3. A closure for a ller tube havingfinterior- "cam -`suraces andracutme'nts, said'closure comprising aplateelike 'ring adapter` element for'securement to said tube and having an opening for registry therervithjprojections*on said-adapter element for cooperative engagernentV withsaid-tubeV cam sur- -ifaces inthe securement vof theadapter element VtoY the tube Vby rotation of the adapter elementfin one direction relative'to 'the tube, bendableflngers on' saidv adapter element and'bendable 'into "positions back of said tube abutments toY preventieverse rotation of theadapterelement relative 'to theV tube, said adapter' element' having an outvvvardlyproj eating' hinge' portion, a, hinge member hingedly connected to said adapter element hinge portion andY normally overlying ythe adapter elernent,.a covermember rotatably secured to-and Inormally overlyingfsaid hinged member and said adapter element l andV having a depending peripheral skirt surrounding saidfadapter, spaced portions of said skirt en opposite sides of the' hinge memberforming radial opposed abutments" which limit the relative rctation'of `the cover member and the-'hinged member, and means carriedgby said-'skirt and cooperablewith said adapter velement for the -releasable-jsecurement ofv thefcover member to the adapter element by rotary movement of the cover membr relative to the adapter element.

LIONEL CHASE.

REFERENCES CETED UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Stant June 9, 1931 Number 10 Name Date Fergusson Oct. 4, 1932 Stent May 16, 1933 Allred Sept. 5, 1933 Stent Jan. 29, 1935 Johnson June 11, 1935 Anschcks Oct. 22, 1935 Carah Oct. 29, 1935 sebek oct. 2o, 1936 Wilhelm Mar. 7, 1939 

